Device and process for automatically preventing the accumulation of water in gas wells



Dec. 19 1922. 1,439,391

F. B. ALLDREDGE. DEVICE AND PRocess FOR AUTOMATICALLY PREvENTlNs mi' AccuMuLATvoN oF WATER IN GAS WELLS.

Fl LED Dac. 29. 1919,

y ofcourse, that theA ing to such a height that the gas cannot force its way through the water and the iow of gas is shut og. In some instances by the process of blowing out the well every day or so, the well4 can be kept cleanv from such an amount of 'water as would stop the ow of gas. However, it very frequently occurs that the water accumulates so rapidly as to stop the gas flow,'and in that case it is sometimes necessary to pull the tubing and bail out the well. -Where it is necessary to pull the tubing there is involved a reat expense and sometimes the well is spoiled. n

Where my device is used I use the pipe for taking -the gas from the well, and close the passagebetween the pipe 15 and the tubing and also the passage between the tubing and the casing. When this is done the pressure of the gas will naturally tend to force` the water out with the gas andas the gas comes from the well it carries with it va proportion of water depending upon the amount of water tending to collect in the bottom of 2'5 the well. The water level will naturally be maintained at the intake end of the pipe 13. The water and gas pass into the tank 18, whereupon the water will stay in the bottom of the tank 18 and the gas will pass upi 30 wardly'and away "through 'the pipe 19. The

water in the tank 18 will lnaturally flow dOWIlWar'dly throughthe unobstructed' pipe 20 and will seek its level in the pipe 22. In the absence of pressure in 'the tank 18 35 it is obvious that anyl accumulation of water in the tank would be avoided by the tendency ofthe water to seek its level. Iam assuming,

above-the level of the bottom of the tank 18.

40 However, it vwill beobserved that there is constant pressure in the` tank 18 due to the pressure'of the gas in the well, and this pressure will force the water downwardly into4 the pipe 20 a certain distancel depending a 4 5 upon the pressure of the gas.

By lfollowing the ordinary tables showing the e uivalents ot'press'ure andhead of f water 1t is easy to determine how far the gaspressure will force the water downwardly v .into the pipe 2O.,4

' In controlling the device the lower` end of the pipe 20is always placed substantially below the farthest point to which the `gas pressure will force the water. .By extending the pipes 20. and 22 below said point there will always be water in the Ymember 21 and in the lower ends of the pipes. l20 and 22fwhichwill form a' water seal and prevent the undesirable escape of gas.

The member '21 forms a sort of sediment collector. I The water Aseal structure at the lower end ofthe pipes -20 and 22 may bemade by oonnecting said lower ends by a cross vpipe 21 'shown in Figure 4. Where this form of the pipe 23 does not rise device is used I preferably extend short pipes 20c and 20d downwardly from the corr necting pipe 21 for drip pipes and sediment collectors.

I install the valve 24 for blowing out any sand or sedimentfthat might collect in'the mmber 'member 21."

In the use ofimy improved device, lthe pipes 20 and 22 are filled with watervbefore the gas is allowed to flow 'into the tank 18 for causing pressure therein. f

It will, of course, be understood that in the ordinary operation of the device the valve 24 is` turned to position for closing the vent 25. The operation of the device is then as hereinbefore described.

Any water tending to accumulate in the tank will, of course. be immediatelyv forced downwardly into the pipe 20, an-d any surplus will be forced out through the pipe 22. Y The member 21 may be blown out at any time by simply manipulating the valve 24 for opening the vent '25.

After the blowing out process the gas can process involves ,the use of a pipe for taking tij- be shut ofi", the valve 24 turned to p osition v ofi' the gas small enough so that the pressure of the gas in the well will carry out the water as it accumulates with the flowing gas. The well' must be closed so that the pressure is utilized for driving the water upv through the pipe. Of course the'well is always closed in 'any event to prevent the escape ofgas.

The gas and water must be passed into a separate receptacle of some sort, and the water then allowed to flow into a pipe extending downwardly a proper distance, and

there must be both a downwardly extending pipe and a return pipe so as to provide the water seal.

It obvious that it is not necessary that the pipes 20 and 22 be placed in the well, but

Ythis is' done simply for convenience and to avoid the Vnecessity of digging a hole or raising the separating tank a sufficient distance above the ground. I can use my structure for taking gas, oil and water Afrom a well.' My device may be modified slightly and used -for separating gas from water and other liquids in a pipe line or tank or other receptacle. It is obvious 'that changes might be mad 1n the construction and arrangement of the from a place or receptacle containing the fsame. where said gas is under pressure and :of cleaning the take-otl means. comprising ilthe subjecting of the liquid 'at its surface to the movement of the passing current of gas. and thereby forcing the gas and liquid through a pipe, the discharging,T of thegas and liquid into a receptacle above the bottom thereof, the allowing of the flow of the gas from the upper part of said receptacle, the allo-wing of the liquid to flow from the lower part of said receptacle. and passing it through a tube or the like` having a downwardly extending portion and an upwardly extending portion` whereby a liquid seal is formed at the bottom of said tube for preventing the escaping of gas from the lastnamed receptacle, and the subjection of said upwardly extending portion directly to communication with the gas under pressure in said receptacle for blowing out said portion.

2. A device for handling gas and liquids, comprising a pipe adapted to be projected into a means where gas and liquid are contained` under pressure to a. point where the intake end of the pipe is substantially at the surface of the liquid. means for closing the ripening around said pipe, so that the pressure of the gas forces the gas and liquid therewith through said pipe, a receptacle communicating above its bottom with said pipe, a take-off pipe leading from the top of said receptacle, a liquid discharge pipe communicating with the bottom of said receptacle, and extending downwardly and thence upwardly, whereby the contents of ot' under pressure therein through said liquid discharge pipe. and means for placing the take-ofi' pipe directly in communication with the gas under pressure, Jfor cleanout purposes.

Il. A device for handling gas and liquids, comprising a pipe adapted to be projected into ameans where gas and liquid are con tained under pressure to a point where the intake end of the pipe is substantially at the surface of the liquid` means for closing the opening around said pipe, so that the pressure of the gas forces the gas and liquid therewith through Said pipe. a receptacle communicating above its bottom with said pipe, a. take-ott pipe leading from the top of said receptacle. a liquid discharge pipe communicating with the bottom of said receptacle. and extending downwardly and thence upwardly, whereb)v the contents of the receptacle are under substantially the pressure imparted from the pressure ot' the gas, the lower parts of said last-described pipe forming means for producing a liquid seal and permitting the flow of liquid from said receptacle, but preventing the escape of gas under pressure there-in through said liquid discharge pipe, the upper stretch of said last-described pipe having a discharge opening and a. three-way valve adapted in" Aone posit-ion to close said last opening and to permit tlie tlow ot liquid through the pipe and in another position to close the passage through the pipe and to permit the passage oi liquid through said discharge opening. whereby the pressure in said receptacle may be used for blowing out the contents of the liquid discharge pipe.

Des Moines, Iowa, November 5, 1919.

FRANCIS B. ALLDREDGE. 

